The theme “China and the impact of its development on the rest of the world” was the occasion for discovering that the Chinese are debating and openeing up. The participation of Mrs. Calmy-Rey, Federal Counsellor and that of Chinese Ambasador, Zhu Bangzao, made quite an impact. The young Chinese entrepreneur, Hong Gang also caused a sensation.

2004

New status, new name, new venue and a unique theme for the films. That was the recipe for 2004. Henceforth, the “International North South Media Festival” was a foundation. It took place at the BFM (Bâtiment des Forces Motrices) and all the films and debates centred on a single subject. Devoted to petrol, the ’04 edition welcomed Sheik Ahmed Zaki Yamani, ex-chief of the OPEC, as well as George Soros and Farooq Abdullah.

2003

The talk was of bridges, actual and metaphorical. The extraordinary participation of “Toni el Suizo”, bridges-builder in developing countries was more than appreciated particularly by the young persons present. Seik Modibo Diarra, astrophysicist of Malian origin, was another prestigious guest.

2002

“Eighteen years: the Festival’s legal coming of age” so said Jean-Philippe Rapp! Devoted to Sport and Development, we met Adolphe Ogi, Special Adviser to the United Nations, Roger Milla, footballer and UN AIDS Ambassador and Basile Boli, ex-footballer.

2001The subject of the Hostage at the 01’ Festival, engendered moments of great emotion. Several hostages from Jolo told their story. The photographer Brice Fleautiaux who was imprisoned in Cechnya recounted his dramatic journey, as did Elio Erriquez and Maria Moarbes.

2000

Being 20 years old in the year 2000, in a context of migration, was the subject for the millennium edition. More than fifty films were presented in competition for the Independent’s Prize, marking the great evolution of the Festival. The guests of honour were Kadiatou Bah and Ibrahim Diallo, two young ladies from Guinea committed to the future of their country.

1999

A new name and it is the North South Media Festival that was born that year. It took place in the studios of the TSR which, for this occasion, opened a number of its doors to the public. The theme was the Himalayas, with guests of honour Farooq Abdullah, Prime Minister of the Indian state of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh.

1998

Centred around the Mediterranean, in particular its southern part, the audience was regaled to the more than passioante discussions on Algeria and the courage to inform. The guest of honour, Salima Ghezali, Editor-in-chief of the Algiers newspaper La Nation, was a sensation. To be noted also was an exhibition on the Near East by the famous photographer, Oliviero Toscani.

1997

The program Zig-Zag Café, was broadcasted for the first time from the RMNS centre, whose theme was “Mixed Races and Caribbean Cultures”. The Martinique writer, winner of the Goncourt Prize 1992, Patrick Chamoiseau, enlightened the audience with his remarks. Hassan Ba, Director of the NGO Synergies/Africa, was another renowned guest.

1996

Devoted to the African press, the 1996 edition was distinguished by the presence of Senen Andriamirado, journalist with Jeune Afrique and Ahmed Draaji, ex-Ambassador representing Algeria at UNESCO. Freedom of the press in Arab countries was extensively debated.

1995

For the UN’s 50th anniversary, the RMNS organized a multiplex radio link-up with the island of Mauritius, Benin, Morocco and a private station in Haiti, on the subject of: “Of what use is the UN?”. The other theme of the 1995 edition dealt with the new African media and women.

1994

Important anniversary, ’94 marked the RMNS’s first decade! This edition took place at the same time as the 75th anniversary of the International Labour Organization. A noteworthy presence was that of Liberation journalist, Marc Kravetz.

1993

On the subject of “The Medias and Human Rights”, the RMNS welcomed Adama Dieng, General Secretary of the International Commission of Lawyers, as well as Roberto Savio, Director of the Rome-based agency, Inter Press Service. The photographer Sergio Penchanski presented the exhibition entitled “Unknown Argentinians”.

1992

In the context of the Rio Summit and the 500th anniversary of Christopher Colombus’discovery of America, the RMNS addressed the subject of “Environment and Development”. This year saw the creation of the Prix de la Jeunesse (Youth Prize), which was awarded by a jury made up of adolescents.

1991

Right in the middle of the Gulf war, the north-south relationships, that were being sorely tried by the war, evidently, became the centre of the debates. ’91 was also the year, when the Independent competition was created. Debating were the Geneva writer, Georges Haldas as well as Serge Adda, General Director of Canal Horizons.

1990

First edition of the RMNS in the new climate following the fall of the Berlin wall. “Will the East eclipse the South?” became the main theme. Jiri Kanturek, ex-director of Czech television and famous presenter during the Prague Spring, animated the debates. Yoro Fall, a professor at the University of Dakar also spoke.

1989

The role and responsibilites of the media as well as their influence on political situations, was the main theme of this edition. The thorny issues were dealt with through South Africa’s case. Famous South African author, André Brink, was one of the main personalitis of the ’89 RMNS.

1988

Entitled “Information on Crisis and Crisis of Information”, the ’88 meetings dealt with the AIDS question as well as ecological catastrophes. Twenty-seven television channels presented themselves for the Geneva International Television Awards. The Pierre-Alain Donnier Prize (Swiss journalist killed in an accident in Chad) was created in his honour.

1987

Considering the evolution in media technology, the ’87 RMNS addressed the north-south issues of the new communication technologies. The presence of Alassan N’Gaede, Deputy General Director of the Mauritian television as well as Albert Carton, specialist in communication, gave this edition a special identity.

1986

Dedicated to international radios and north-south issues, the second edition of the RMNS set up a two-tiered round table in Dakar, enabling trainee journalists from Senegal to participate in the symposia. Mr. Philippe de Santeny, Information Direcor of Radio France International, took part in the debates.

1985

This first edition, highlighted by Nigeria’s victory at the Prix International de télévision de Genève (Geneva International Television Award), dealt with the constraints that journalists from the North and South live with on a daily basis in their profession.A guest of note at the RMNS was Jean Planchais, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the daily, Le Monde.